White House senior adviser Jared Kushner delivered rare public remarks Monday following a meeting with congressional investigators, saying he never colluded with Russia and that President Donald Trump won in 2016 because he ran a superior campaign.
"Let me be very clear," Kushner said. "I did not collude with Russia, or do I know of anyone else in the campaign who did so. I had no improper contacts. I have not relied on Russian funds for my businesses, and I have been fully transparent in providing all requested information."
Kushner spoke at the White House for less than three minutes. He spoke earlier behind closed doors with investigators on the Senate Intelligence Committee, and he will speak Tuesday with the House Intelligence Committee.
Kushner added that he had not sought the spotlight and had always focused on setting and achieving goals, while leaving media and public perception to others. He said he had been consistent in saying he was eager to share all his information with investigators and that all his actions were proper during a "very unique campaign."
Trump won, Kushner said, because "he had a better message and ran a smarter campaign."
"Suggesting otherwise ridicules those who voted for him," Kushner said. "It is an honor to work with President Trump and his administration, as we take on the challenges that he was elected to face."
Kushner is the husband of Trump's eldest daughter, Ivanka Trump, who also serves as a White House adviser.
In his remarks to investigators, Kushner detailed four meetings with Russian representatives "out of thousands during the campaign and transition, none of which were impactful in any way to the election or particularly memorable," The Atlantic reports. Kushner also addressed the meeting set up by Donald Trump Jr. with a Russian lawyer that he attended last year, saying he found it a waste of time.